Snow and ice remover for vehicle roofs

ABSTRACT

Vehicle snow and ice removers are disclosed. An example vehicle and ice remover includes a plurality of first modular frames, where the first modular frames have a first shape and a plurality of second modular frames, where the second modular frames have a second shape different than the first shape. The first modular frames and the second modular frames are connected to form a first side frame, a second side frame opposite the first side frame, and a cross frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/274,553 which was filed on Feb. 13, 2019, titled “Snow and IceRemover for Vehicle Roofs,” which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/629,768, filed on Feb. 13, 2018,and U.S. Patent Application No. 62/782,609, filed on Dec. 20, 2018. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/274,553, U.S. Patent Application No.62/629,768, and U.S. Patent Application No. 62/782,609 are herebyincorporated herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snow and ice remover and, moreparticularly, to as now and ice remover for vehicle roofs.

BACKGROUND

It is not an uncommon experience in localities which experiencesignificant snowfall to see a slab of snow fly off the roof of a vehicleand strike a following vehicle. Regardless of the vehicle from which thesnow is released, the experience is startling to the driver of thefollowing vehicle. However, if the snow is from atop a largesemi-trailer, and particularly if it has been hardened into ice, theevent can not only be startling, but also very dangerous.

This has always been a concern of the trucking industry. Therefore,trucking companies spend considerable money to clear snow and ice fromthe roofs of trailers after every major snow storm. This effort not onlytakes money but also requires significant time, so that the operation ofthe trucks of a large fleet can be delayed significantly after asnowstorm. Furthermore, since the snow and ice removal has generallybeen done manually by workers shoveling from atop the trailers,employers and insurance companies are very concerned about the danger ofsuch workers slipping and falling from the typically 13 foot hightrailer roofs. Furthermore, at least one state, New Jersey, requiresthat such roof snow and ice be cleared before a truck moves onto apublic road, but even without such requirements, there is a significantincrease in fuel consumption, and therefore an increase in the cost ofoperation, if snow or ice is not removed.

Several devices exist that attempt to address this problem. U.S. Pat.No. 5,802,654 discloses an immovable bridge like structure supporting avertically adjustable wedge shaped snow plow that vehicles can moveunder to have snow or ice removed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,356 by Candelettiuses a snow removal scraper supported on a pillar installed on cementfootings.

One of the problems with such structures is that they are very large inboth width and height, and therefore occupy significant space,particularly considering that they must have significant free spacearound them to permit maneuvering semi-trailers into and through them.This problem is aggravated because the height of these structuresrequires particular care to assure their stability, and the situation isparticularly bothersome to users who do not need a snow scraperthroughout a large portion of any year.

Published Patent Application US20090282708 by Reed attempts to overcomethis problem by supplying a structure that is not imbedded in theground, but instead is held down by four removable concrete blocks whichrest on two base plates attached at the bottom of the vertical supportsof the bridge like structure. The snow scraper structure can then bemoved to a storage location when not in use. This is accomplished byusing two forklifts vehicles with 5000 pound capacity. The forkliftsfirst lift each of the 3 ton concrete blocks off the base plate. Then,by inserting their forks into pockets within the two base plates at thebottom of opposite sides of the bridge structure, the two forklifts workin tandem to move the structure. This is no easy task since thestructure weighs 8,800 pounds, is over 16 feet tall, and isapproximately 17 feet wide.

Since it is clear that a movable snow scraper structure has the distinctbenefit of being movable out of the way when not in use, it would bevery beneficial to have such a movable snow scraper available,particularly for small businesses, that does not require the use of twoheavy duty forklifts and two specially skilled operators who can operatein tandem on opposite sides of a wide, tall, and heavy structure such asthe typical snow scraper. Further, each of the available snow removalstructures is assembled from a small number of very large and heavypieces. It is therefore cost-prohibitive to ship any of thesestructures, even in a disassembled state, and assembly of thesestructures is complex and time-consuming, requiring large-scaleequipment.

SUMMARY

A vehicle snow and ice remover comprises a plurality of modular piecesassembled together to form a pair of vertical supports and a cross piececonnecting the pair of vertical supports and a roof clearing devicemovable along the pair of vertical supports. The plurality of modularpieces include at most two different shapes and each having a maximumouter dimension that is less than or equal to 75% of a height of each ofthe vertical supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying figures, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snow and ice remover according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the snow and ice remover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first modular piece of the snow andice remover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second modular piece of the snow andice remover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the snow and ice remover of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plow assembly of the snow and iceremover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a snow and ice remover according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a snow and ice remover according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a snow and ice remover according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ballast assembly of the snow and iceremover of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective of a plow assembly according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the plow assembly of FIG. 11 without aplurality of brushes of the plow assembly; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of the plow assembly of FIG. 11 without theplurality of brushes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter indetail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to the like elements. The present invention may, however,be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that the disclosure will convey the concept of theinvention to those skilled in the art.

A snow and ice remover 10 according to an embodiment is shown in FIGS. Iand 2. The snow and ice remover 10 includes a frame 100, a plow assembly200 supported by and moveable along the frame by a lifting device 300, aballast 400 attached to the frame 100, and a plurality of wheelassemblies 500 attached to the frame 100.

The frame 100, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, includes a plurality of firstmodular pieces 110 and a plurality of second modular pieces 120 attachedtogether by a plurality of connectors 130 and a plurality of fasteners140.

One of the plurality of first modular pieces 110 is shown in FIG. 3. Thefirst modular piece 110 has a triangular shape with a first base 112, asecond base 114 shorter than the first base 112, and a hypotenuse 116.The first base 112 has a length Tl and the second base 114 has a lengthT2. In an embodiment, the length T2 is approximately half the length ofTl; in a further embodiment, the length Tl is approximately 83″ and thelength T2 is approximately 42″. In the shown embodiment, the first base112, the second base 114, and the hypotenuse 116 are each formed of asteel tubing and are welded together to form the first modular piece110. In an alternative embodiment, the first base 112, second base 114,and hypotenuse 116 may be formed of a different material, such asplastic, and/or may be attached together to form the first modular piece110 by any type of fastener known to those with ordinary skill in theart, such as a screw or a bolt.

One of the plurality of second modular pieces 120 is shown in FIG. 4.The second modular piece 120 has a rectangular shape with a pair ofopposite long sides 122 and a pair of opposite short sides 124connecting the long sides 122. Each of the long sides 122 has a lengthRI and each of the short sides 124 has a length R2. In an embodiment,the length RI is equal to the length Tl and the length R2 is equal tothe length T2. In the shown embodiment, the long sides 122 and the shortsides 124 are each formed of a steel tubing and are welded together toform the second modular piece 120. In an alternative embodiment, thelong sides 122 and the short sides 124 may be formed of a differentmaterial, such as plastic, and/or may be attached together to form thesecond modular piece 120 by any type of fastener known to those withordinary skill in the art, such as a screw or a bolt.

The connectors 130 and the fasteners 140, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4,attach the first modular pieces 110 and the second modular pieces 120together to form the frame 100 which includes a pair of verticalsupports 150, a cross piece 160 connecting the vertical supports 150,and a plurality of outriggers 170 attached to the vertical supports 150.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the vertical supports150 includes a plurality of first modular pieces 110, a plurality ofsecond modular pieces 120, and a plurality of first connectors 132 andthe fasteners 140 connecting the first modular pieces 110 and the secondmodular pieces 120. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the first connectors 132is a plate-shaped member formed of a metal material. In otherembodiments, each first connector 132 maybe formed of a differentmaterial such as a plastic. Each fastener 140 is a nut and bolt in theshown embodiments. In other embodiments, each fastener 140 may be ascrew, a weld, an adhesive, or any other type of fastener known to thosewith ordinary skill in the art.

To connect the first modular pieces 110 and the second modular pieces120 in each vertical support 150, a first end of one first connector 132is positioned to overlap the second modular piece 120 and a second endof the first connector 132 is positioned to overlap the first modularpiece 110 or another second modular piece 120, referred to hereinafteras the other modular piece 110, 120, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Twofasteners 140 are used to attach each first connector 132; one fastener140 is used to attach the first end of the first connector 132 to thesecond modular piece 120 and another fastener 140 is used to attach thesecond end of the first connector 132 to the other modular piece 110,120.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the fastener 140 attachingthe first connector 132 to the second modular piece 120 is a weld andthe fastener 140 attaching the first connector 132 to the other modularpiece 110, 120 is a nut and bolt extending through a passageway in thefirst connector 132 and the other modular piece 110, 120. In otherembodiments, both ends of the first connector 132 could be welded to therespective modular pieces 110, 120, both ends of the first connector 132could be bolted to the respective modular pieces 110, 120, or otherforms of fastening could be used to form the structure described below.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the first connectors 132are disposed in pairs on opposite sides of the respective modular pieces110, 120. In other embodiments, only one first connector 132 may be usedinstead of the pairs.

Each of the vertical supports 150 is constructed identically, as will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. I and 2. As shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, one second modular piece 120 is positioned with a first longside 122 on a ground surface G. An opposite second longside 122 of theone second modular piece 120 is connected to the second base 114 of onefirst modular piece 110 and a first short side 124 of another secondmodular piece 120 by a plurality of first connectors 132 and a pluralityof fasteners 140. The first base 112 of the one first modular piece 110is connected to the long side 122 of the another second modular piece120 by another plurality of first connectors 132 and fasteners 140. Thesecond base 114 of another first modular piece 110 is connected to asecond short side 124 of the another second modular piece 120 oppositethe first short side 124 by another plurality of first connectors 132and fasteners 140 to form the vertical support 150.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. I and 2, each vertical support 150includes two first modular pieces 110 and two second modular pieces 120.Each vertical support 150 has a height in a height direction Happroximately equal to Tl+RI+R2 which, in an embodiment, isapproximately equal to 2.5×(Tl or RI). Each vertical support 150 has alargest length at the ground surface Gin a length direction L which isapproximately equal to RI or Tl, the length direction L beingperpendicular to the height direction H. In other embodiments, thevertical supports 150 may include different quantities of first modularpieces 110 and second modular pieces 120 and the vertical support 150may have a different overall shape. In a further embodiment, the frame I00 may have two first modular pieces 110 as a replacement for eachsecond modular piece 120; in this embodiment, the triangular firstmodular pieces 110 are connected together to form a rectangleapproximating the overall shape of the second modular piece 120.

The connection of the cross piece 160 of the frame I 00 will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. The cross piece 160includes a plurality of first modular pieces 110, a second connector 134connecting the first modular pieces 110 to each other, a plurality ofthird connectors 136 connecting the first modular pieces 110 to thevertical supports 150, and a plurality of fasteners 140. The secondconnector 134 is a plate-shaped member and each of the third connectors136 is an L-shaped bracket. In an embodiment, each of the secondconnector 134 and the third connectors 136 are formed of a metalmaterial. In other embodiments, each of the second connector 134 and thethird connectors 136 may be formed of a different material such asplastic.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first end of the second connector 134 ispositioned to overlap the first base 112 of one of the first modularpieces 110 and the opposite second end of the second connector 134 ispositioned to overlap the first base 112 of the other of the firstmodular pieces 110. A plurality of fasteners 140 are used to attach thesecond connector 134 to each of the first modular pieces 110 to form thecross piece 160. In the shown embodiment, all of the fasteners 140 arenut and bolt fasteners. In an embodiment, the second connector 134 maybe a pair of identical plates disposed on opposite sides of the firstmodular pieces 110.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the cross piece 160includes two first modular pieces 110 and the cross-piece 160 has awidth in a width direction W approximately equal to 2×Tl. In otherembodiments, the cross piece 160 may include different quantities of thefirst modular pieces 110 and/or may include second modular pieces 120,and the cross piece 160 may have a different overall shape.

The third connectors 136 connect the cross piece 160 to the verticalsupports 150 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. At each end of the crosspiece 160, a plurality of third connectors 136 each have a first portionof the L-shape attached to the first modular piece 110 of the crosspiece 160 by a fastener 140 and a second portion of the L-shape attachedto the first modular piece 110 of the respective vertical support 150 byanother fastener 140. Each fastener 140 is a nut and bolt in the shownembodiments. In other embodiments, each fastener 140 may be a screw, aweld, an adhesive, or any other type of fastener known to those withordinary skill in the art.

The connection of the outriggers 170 to the vertical supports 150 willnow be described with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Each of the outriggers 170 is one of the first modular pieces 110. Thereare four outriggers 170 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thesecond modular piece 120 of each vertical support 150 which abuts theground surface G is connected to two first modular pieces 110 serving asthe outriggers 170. The second base 114 of each first modular piece 110is connected to one of the short sides 124 of the second modular piece120 by a plurality of first connectors 132 and fasteners 140. The firstmodular pieces 110 serving as the outriggers 170 are positioned with thefirst base 112 abutting the ground surface G; at each vertical support150, one of the first modular pieces 110 serving as the outrigger 170extends in the length direction L and the other first modular piece 110serving as the outrigger 170 extends in a direction counter to thelength direction L, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In another embodiment of the snow and ice remover 10′ shown in FIG. 7,there are only two first modular pieces 110 serving as the outriggers170. One outrigger 170 is connected to the second modular piece 120abutting the ground surface G at each of the vertical supports 170. Thefirst modular piece 110 serving as the outrigger 170 for each verticalsupport 150 extends in the length direction L, as shown in FIG. 7. Inanother embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the snow and ice remover 10″ doesnot include any outriggers 170.

The frame 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, also includes a plurality ofplow retainers 180. Each plow retainer 180 is a U-shaped member. In anembodiment, the plow retainer 180 is formed of a metal material. Inother embodiments, the plow retainer 180 may be formed of a plasticmaterial. Each plow retainer 180 includes a first end section 182, anopposite second end section 184, and a retainer bar 186 connecting thefirst end section 182 and the second end section 184.

The first end section 182 and the second end section 184 of each plowretainer 180 are attached to one of the vertical supports 150 by aplurality of fasteners 140 as shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end section 182 is attached to the firstmodular piece 110 which forms the top of the vertical support 150 in theheight direction H and the second end section 184 is attached to thesecond modular piece 120 centrally positioned in the height direction H.In the shown embodiment, each of the fasteners 140 for the plow retainer180 is a nut and bolt fastener. The retainer bar 186 is positionedspaced apart from the vertical support 150 to form a confined plow track188 between each vertical support 150 and the respective plow retainer180.

The plow assembly 200 is shown in FIG. 6 and includes a plurality ofplow frame pieces 210, a plurality of wear pads 230 attached to the plowframe pieces 210, a plurality of fasteners 240, a plurality of plowsheets 250 attached to the plow frame pieces 210, a plurality of brushtracks 260 attached to the plow frame pieces 210, a plurality of brushes270 attached to the brush tracks 260, and a lifting connector 280. Asshown in FIG. 6, the plow assembly 200 is mirrored in the widthdirection W about a central axis P. The following description of thestructure of the plow assembly 200 is directed to one half of the plowassembly 200 and, as shown in FIG. 6, applies equally to the other half.

Each of the plow frame pieces 210, as shown in FIG. 6, includes a rearsection 212, an opposite front section 218 in the length direction L,and a long side section 214 and a short side section 216 connecting therear section 212 and the front section 218. The long side section 214and the short side section 216 each extend perpendicular to the rearsection 212. The front section 218 is connected to an end of each of thelong side section 214 and the short side section 216 and, due to thedifference in length between the long side section 214 and the shortside section 216, extends at an angle with respect to the rear section212. The plow frame piece 210 further includes a bracket 220 connectedto the rear section 212 and extending away from the rear section 212 inthe width direction W. In the shown embodiment, the bracket 220 isL-shaped. In another embodiment, the bracket 220 may be T-shaped.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the sections 212, 214, 216, 218, andbracket 220 are each formed of a pair of parallel steel bars and arewelded together to form the plow frame piece 210. In other embodiments,the sections 212, 214, 216, 218, and bracket 220 may be attachedtogether by other fasteners known to those with ordinary skill in theart or the plow frame piece 210 may be monolithically formed. The plowframe pieces 210 are attached to each other as described in greaterdetail below to form a plow frame.

The wear pads 230, as shown in FIG. 6, are disposed on an end of thebracket 220. In the shown embodiment, each of the wear pads 230 is aU-shaped member formed of ultra-high- molecular-weight (UHMW)polyethylene. In other embodiments, the wear pads 230 may be formed ofany other polymer material known to those with ordinary skill in the artthat exhibits resistance to wear. The wear pads 230 are positioned topartially surround the end of the bracket 220 and are each secured tothe bracket 220 by a plurality of fasteners 240. In an embodiment, thefasteners 240 securing the wear pads 230 are set screws. In otherembodiments, the fasteners 240 may be nuts and bolts, an adhesive, orany other type of known fastener.

The plow sheet 250, as shown in FIG. 6, is attached to the front section218 of the plow frame piece 210 by a plurality of plow sheet connectors252 and a plurality of fasteners 240. In the shown embodiment, the plowsheet 250 is formed of a polypropylene material. In other embodiments,the plow sheet 250 may be formed of any other polymer material or ametal material.

As shown in FIG. 6, a bottom end of the plow sheet 250 in the heightdirection His secured directly to the front section 218 by the fasteners240. An opposite top end of the plow sheet 250 is attached to theplurality of plow sheet connectors 252 by the fasteners 240. Each of theplow sheet connectors 252 is V-shaped member; one side of the V-shape isattached to the top end of the front section 218 by the fasteners 240and the other side of the V-shape is attached to the top end of the plowsheet 250. Each of the plow sheet connectors 252 holds the top end ofthe plow sheet 250 at a distance from the front section 218. The plowsheet 250 is thus curved at the top end; the plow sheet 250 may beformed in a bent shape or may be bent during installation on the plowframe piece 210. In the shown embodiment, the fasteners 240 securing theplow sheet 250 to the front section 218 of the plow frame piece 210 arenuts and bolts.

The plurality of brush tracks 260, as shown in FIG. 6, are attached to abottom of each of the long side section 214 and the short side section216 and extend parallel to the front section 218. In the shownembodiment, the brush tracks 260 are formed of a metal material and arewelded to the long side section 214 and the short side section 216. Inother embodiments, the brush tracks 260 may be formed of a plasticmaterial and fastened to the long side section 214 and short sidesection 216 by any fastener known to those with ordinary skill in theart.

The plurality of brushes 270 are attached to and extend from the brushtracks 260 in the height direction H. The brushes 270 are formed of apolypropylene, polyethylene, or any other non-abrasive, flexible,resilient material. In the shown embodiment, five rows of brushes 270extend from the brush tracks 260 and each of the rows has a same heightin the height direction H. In other embodiments, the number of rows ofbrushes 270 may vary and brushes 270 in adjacent rows may have differentheights. In an alternative embodiment, a flexible squeegee-type blademay be attached to the bottom of each of the long side section 214 andthe short side section 216 in lieu of the brush tracks 260 and brushes270.

To construct the plow assembly 200, as shown in FIG. 6, the plow framepieces 210 assembled as described above are attached at their long sidesections 214 by a plurality of fasteners 240. The lifting connector 280is attached to a top of the connected long side sections 214 and extendsupward in the height direction H. In the constructed plow assembly 200,the plurality of plow sheets 250 form a V-shape, the plurality ofbrushes 270 form a V-shape, and the brackets 220 with the wear pads 230are disposed at opposite ends.

The plow assembly 200 is attached to the frame 100 as shown in FIGS. 1,2, and 5. At each of the vertical supports 150, and at each end of theplow assembly 200, the plow retainer 180 is attached around the bracket220. A first portion of the bracket 220 is disposed in the plowtrack 188between the vertical support 150 and the retainer bar 186, limitingmovement of the bracket 220 in the length direction L. A second portionof the bracket 220 perpendicular to the first portion extends in thelength direction L around the retainer bar 186, limiting movement of thebracket 220 in the width direction W. The wear pads 230 are disposed oneach surface of the bracket 220 that faces either the vertical support150 or the retainer bar 186.

The lifting device 300 is shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 and includes awinch 310, a lifting support 320, and a chain 330. The lifting support320 is welded to the second connector 134 and the winch 310 is disposedon and supported by the lifting support 320. The winch 310 may be anytype of conventional winch known to those with ordinary skill in theart. The winch 310 is connected to a conventional control station (notshown) at the ground surface G from which an operator can control theoperation of the winch 310. The chain 330 extends from the winch 310 andis connected to the lifting connector 280 of the plow assembly 200.Operation of the winch 310, via the chain 330, moves the plow assembly200 within the plow tracks 188 along the height direction H. In otherembodiments, the chain 330 may be a wire rope or a cable.

The ballast 400 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8. In the shownembodiment, the ballast 400 includes a platform 410 and a weight 420.The platform 410 is a known pallet used in conventional shippingapplications and is sized to receive a standard pallet jack J as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. In various embodiments, the platform 410 may be anapproximately 4′×4′ small pallet or may be an approximately 8′×4′ largepallet. The platform 410 supports the weight 420. In the shownembodiment, the weight 420 is a 55-gallon drum filled with a heavymaterial such as sand. In other embodiments, the weight 420 may be aconcrete block. In an alternative embodiment, each of the ballasts 400is a custom cast block capable of receiving the pallet jack J andtherefore serving as both the platform 410 and the weight 420.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the snow and ice remover 10includes four ballasts 400. The platform 410 of each ballast 400 isattached to an end of one of the outriggers 170 by a plurality offasteners 430. The fasteners 430 are nuts and bolts in the shownembodiment. In other embodiments, the fasteners 430 may be screws, anadhesive, or any other fastener known to those with ordinary skill inthe art. Each platform 410 supports one filled drum serving as theweight 420.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the snow and ice remover 10′ includestwo ballasts 400. The platform 410 of each ballast 400 is attached to anend of one of the outriggers 170 by a plurality of fasteners 430. Thefasteners 430 are nuts and bolts in the shown embodiment and eachplatform 410 supports one filled drum serving as the weight 420.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the snow and ice remover 10″ includestwo ballasts 400. The platform 410 of each ballast 400 is attached tothe second modular piece 120 of each vertical support 150 which isdisposed on the ground surface G by a plurality of fasteners 430. Thefasteners 430 are nuts and bolts in the shown embodiment and eachplatform 410 supports a pair of filled drums serving as the weight 420.

An embodiment of the wheel assemblies 500 is shown in FIG. 1. Each wheelassembly 500 includes a wheel support 510, a jack 520 attached to thewheel support 510, and a wheel 530 disposed on an end of the jack 520.As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of fasteners 540 attach the wheelsupport 510 to the second modular piece 120 of the vertical support 150which is disposed on the ground surface G. The jacks 520 support thewheel 530 on the wheel support 510; a user can operate the jack 520 toraise and lower the wheel 530 with respect to the wheel support 510 andthe vertical support 150, moving the wheel 530 into contact with theground surface G or out of contact with the ground surface G. In anembodiment, the wheel 530 is mounted on a caster on the jack 520. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, two wheel assemblies 500 are attached to thesecond modular piece 120 of each vertical support 150 which is disposedon the ground surface G.

Another embodiment of the wheel assemblies 500′ is shown in FIGS. 7 and8. Each wheel assembly 500′ includes a pair of rack bars 550, a rackconnector 560 connecting the pair of rack bars 550, a pair of jacks 520attached to the rack bars 550, and a wheel 530 disposed on an end ofeach jack 520. The rack connector 560 attaches an end of one rack bar550 to an end of the other rack bar 550 other with a plurality offasteners 540. In an embodiment, a tow attachment is disposed on therack connector 560. An end of each rack bar 550 opposite the rackconnector 560 is attached to the second modular piece 120 of one of thevertical supports 150 which is disposed on the ground surface G by thefasteners 540. The fasteners 540 are nuts and bolts in the shownembodiment. The jacks 520 are attached to the rack bars 550 at positionsadjacent the vertical supports 150. The wheel assemblies 500′ extendbetween and connect the second modular piece 120 of each verticalsupport 150 which is disposed on the ground surface G.

The usage of the snow and ice remover 10 will now be described ingreater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The description of theusage of the snow and ice remover 10 applies equally to the snow and iceremover 10′ of FIG. 7 and the snow and ice remover 10″ of FIG. 8 unlessexplicitly noted otherwise.

In a completely deconstructed state, all of the parts of the snow andice remover 10, including most notably the first modular pieces 110, thesecond modular pieces 120, and the plow retainer 180 of the frame 100,the plow frame pieces 210, plow sheets 250, brush tracks 260, andbrushes 270 of the plow assembly 200, and the parts of the wheelassemblies 500, 550′are sized to fit into a 4′ by 8′ footprint. In anembodiment, all of the parts fit on a 4′ by 8′ standard shipping palletin the completely deconstructed state, lessening material shippingcosts.

A user receiving the snow and ice remover 10 requires only a standardforklift, a pallet jack J, and the standard fasteners 140, 240, 430,540, to assemble the snow and ice remover 10. The user first assemblesthe cross piece 160 and the plow assembly 200 as described above,attaching the lifting device 300 to the cross piece 160. The user thenbegins to assembly each vertical support 150 from the top-down andattaches to the plow retainer 180 to retain the plow assembly 200 withinthe plow track 188 when a sufficient amount of the vertical supports 150have been assembled. After completing assembly of each vertical support150, the user attaches the outriggers 150 to the vertical supports 150and the ballasts 400 to either the vertical supports 150 or theoutriggers 170 as described above. The wheel assembles 500 may beattached before and during use of the snow and ice remover 10 but thewheel assemblies 500′ must be removed during use.

Once assembled, the user uses the winch 310 to set the height of theplow assembly 200 in the height direction H. The plow assembly 200 ismovable within the plow tracks 188 along the height direction H and isdelimited by the position of the first end section 182 and the secondend section 184. In case the chain 330 were to break, the second endsection 184 acts as a safety stop preventing the plow assembly 200 fromfree-falling to the ground surface G. As the plow assembly 200 movesalong the plow track 188, only the wear pads 230 on the brackets 220contact the vertical support 150 and the plow retainer 180, suppressingnoise during movement of the plow assembly 200 and allowing for easyreplacement and prolonging the operational life of the plow assembly200.

With the position of plow assembly 200 set, a vehicle is slowly driventhrough the snow and ice remover 10 in the direction of the arrow Ashown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the vertical supports 150 and plowretainer 180 allow a bottom of the plow sheets 250 to be positioned toaccommodate vehicles ranging from a van, at approximately 7′ from theground surface G, to a semi-trailer, at approximately 13′ 6″ from theground surface G. The brushes 270 and plow sheets 250 contact the roofof the vehicle and clear snow and ice from the roof as the vehiclepasses under the plow assembly 200. The V-shape of the plow sheets 250and brushes 270 move snow and ice off the sides of the vehicle roofwhile the curved top of the plow sheets 250 prevents the snow and icefrom moving over the plow assembly 200. The optional outriggers 170 andthe ballasts 400 positioned at least on an inlet side in which the snowand ice remover 10 enters the snow and ice remover 10 prevent the snowand ice remover 10 from tipping under the force of the snow removal asthe vehicle drives through. In other embodiments, the plow assembly 200may be any roof clearing device capable of clearing snow and ice fromthe roof of the vehicle.

The assembled snow and ice remover 10 can also be moved between uses. Auser positions a pallet jack J under each platform 410 and uses thepallet jack J to raise the platform 410 off of the ground surface G.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the already attached wheelassemblies 500, the user operates the jacks 520 to lower the wheels 530onto ground surface G, lifting the frame 100 off the ground surface Gand supporting the weight of the snow and ice remover 10 on the wheels530. The user can then manually move the snow and ice remover 10 to adesired location before raising the wheels 530 and removing the palletjacks J to place the snow and ice remover 10 back on the ground surfaceG.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the user attaches the wheelassemblies 500′ between the two vertical supports 150. The user thenoperates the jacks 520 to lower the wheels 530 onto the ground surfaceG. The user can then manually move the snow and ice remover 10′, 10″. Inan alternative, a vehicle can attach to the wheel assembles 500′ and towthe snow and ice remover 10′, 10″; the wheel assemblies 500′ stabilizethe snow and ice remover 10′, 10″ and prevent racking during movement.The snow and ice remover 10′, 10″ is also unable to be moved without thestabilization added by the wheel assemblies 500′.

A snow and ice remover 20 according to another embodiment is shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. Like reference numbers refer to like elements and onlythe differences from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8 will bedescribed in detail herein. The snow and ice remover 20 includes a frame100′, the plow assembly 200 supported by and movable along the frame100′ by the lifting device 300, and a pair of ballast assemblies 600attached to the frame 100′.

The frame 100′ of the snow and ice remover 20, as shown in FIG. 9,includes a pair of vertical supports 150′, a cross piece 160′ connectingthe vertical supports 150′, and a plurality of outriggers 170.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, each of the vertical supports 150′includes a plurality of first modular pieces 110 connected together by aplurality of first connectors 132 and a plurality of fasteners 140.Neither of the vertical supports 150′ includes any second modular piece120. Each of the vertical supports 150′ is constructed identically.

In the shown embodiment, each vertical support 150′ includes five firstmodular pieces 110 and has a height in the height direction Happroximately equal to 3×Tl. Each vertical support 150′ has a length atthe ground surface Gin the length direction L which is approximatelyequal to T2. One first modular piece 110 is positioned with the secondbase 114 on the ground surface G. The hypotenuse 116 of the one firstmodular piece 110 is connected to the hypotenuse 116 of another firstmodular piece 110 by a plurality first connectors 132 and a plurality offasteners 140 to form an approximately rectangular shape. Anotherrectangular shape is similarly formed and connected to the firstrectangular shape, and another first modular piece 110 is connected inthe height direction H to form the vertical support 150′. In otherembodiments, the vertical supports 150′ may include different quantitiesof first modular pieces 110.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the cross piece 160′ is a singlemonolithically formed piece including a cross bar 162 and a pair oftriangle-shaped supports 164 extending from the cross bar 162. Oppositeends of the cross bar 162 are each attached to one of the verticalsupports 150′ by a fourth connector 138 and an end of eachtriangle-shaped support 164 opposite a center of the cross-bar 162 isattached to one of the vertical supports by one of the first connectors132. In the shown embodiment, the fourth connector 138 is an H-shapedbracket. The lifting support 320 of the lifting device 300 is attachedto an approximate center of the crossbar 162.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, each of the outriggers 170 is oneof the first modular pieces 110. There are two outriggers 170 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 9. Each of the outriggers 170 is attached toone of the ballast assemblies 600 as described in greater detail below.

The snow and ice remover 20, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, includes a pairof ballast assemblies 600 instead of the ballasts 400 and wheelassemblies 500 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8. Each of the ballastassemblies 600, as shown in FIG. 10, includes a pair of side supports610, a platform 620 connected between the side supports 610, a pluralityof weights 630 positioned on the platform 620, a jack support 640connected to the side supports 610, and a pair of jacks 650 connected tothe jack support 640.

As shown in FIG. 10, each of the pair of side supports 610 has anapproximately right trapezoidal shape. In the shown embodiment, the sidesupports 610 are each formed of the steel tubing and are weldedtogether. In an alternative embodiment, the side supports 610 are formedof a plurality of pieces and are attached together to form the sidesupports 610 by any other type of fastener known to those with ordinaryskill in the art, such as a screw or a bolt.

The platform 620, as shown in FIG. 10, is attached to a bottom portionof each of the side supports 610 and extends between the side supports610. The weights 630 are positioned on the platform 620 and are held offof the ground surface G by the platform 620. In the shown embodiment,each of the weights 630 is a 55-gallon drum filled with a heavy materialsuch as sand. In other embodiments, the weight 630 may be a concreteblock.

As shown in FIG. 10, the jack support 640 is attached to an upperportion of each of the side supports 610 by a plurality of firstconnectors 132 and a plurality of fasteners 140. The jacks 650 areconnected to opposite ends of the jack support 640 and are positionedexterior of the side supports 610. The jacks 650 are operable to raiseand lower an engaging portion 652 of the jack 650, moving the engagingportion 652 into contact with the ground surface G and out of contactwith the ground surface G. In the shown embodiment, the engaging portion652 is a flat surface. In other embodiments, the engaging portion 652could be a wheel.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the ballast assemblies 600 is attached toone of the vertical supports 150′. The bottom portion of each of theside supports 610 is positioned on the ground surface G and firstconnectors 132 attach each of the pair of side supports 610 to one ofthe first modular pieces 110. Each of the outriggers 170 is attached toone of the side supports 610 of each of the ballast assemblies 600 byfirst connectors 132. The jacks 650 are operable to raise and lower theengaging portions 652 in order to engage the ground surface G and liftthe snow and ice remover 20 off of the ground surface Gin the heightdirection H. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, due to the structure of theballast assemblies 600, the weights 630 can remain on the platform 620while the snow and ice remover 20 is lifted off of the ground surface G.In an embodiment in which the engaging portions 652 are wheels, the snowand ice remover 20 can then be moved in the lifted position.

The snow and ice remover 20, as shown in FIG. 9, includes a pair of rackbars 700. Each of the rack bars 700 has a tow attachment 710 disposedapproximately centrally on the rackbar 700. The tow attachment 710 isadapted to connect to a tow cable of the vehicle. Opposite ends of therack bar 700 are attached between the vertical supports 150′ to eitherone of the side supports 610 of the ballast assemblies 600 or to theoutriggers 170. In the shown embodiment, each end of each of the rackbar 700 is attached by a fourth connector 138. The rack bars 700 areattached to the snow and ice remover 20 while the snow and ice remover20 is being moved to prevent racking and increase stabilization duringmovement. The rack bars 700 are removed from the snow and ice remover 20at the fourth connectors 138 to permit a user to drive a vehicle throughthe snow and ice removal 20.

A plow assembly 200′ according to another embodiment is shown in FIGS.11-13. Like reference numbers refer to like elements, and only thedifferences from the plow assembly 200 shown in FIG. 6 will be describedin detail herein. A plurality of plow frame pieces 210′ and a liftingconnector 280′ of the plow assembly 200′ differ from the plow framepieces 210 and the lifting connector 280 of the plow assembly 200.Further, as described in greater detail below, the plow assembly 200′includes a plurality of flexible blades 290.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each of the plow frame pieces 210′ includesan intermediate side section 215 connecting the rear section 212 and thefront section 218. The intermediate side section 215 extendsperpendicular to the rear section 212 and is disposed between the longside section 214 the short side section 216. In the shown embodiment,the intermediate side section 215 is disposed approximately centrallybetween the long side section 214 and the short side section 216 in thewidth direction W. The front section 218 is connected to an end of theintermediate section 215 and, due to the difference in length betweenthe long side section 214, the intermediate side section 215, and theshort side section 216, extends at an angle with respect to the rearsection 212. In the plow assembly 200′, each of the plow frame pieces210′ is mirrored in the width direction W about the central axis P.

In the shown embodiment, the sections 212, 214, 215, 216, 218, andbracket 220 are each formed of a pair of parallel steel bars and arewelded together to form the plow frame piece 210′. In other embodiments,the sections 212, 214, 215, 216, 218, and bracket 220 may be attachedtogether by other fasteners known to those with ordinary skill in theart or the plow frame piece 210′ may be monolithically formed.

The lifting connector 280′, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, includes alifting plate 282 and a damper 284 connected to the lifting plate 282.The lifting plate 282 is attached to a top of the connected long sidesections 214 of the plow frame pieces 210′. The damper 284 is attachedto the lifting plate 282 and extends upward in the height direction H.The damper 284 includes an internal spring that is capable ofelastically compressing between a relaxed state and a compressed stateand provides a dampening force in the height direction H duringcompression.

The plurality of flexible blades 290, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, include aplurality of plow flexible blades 292, a transverse frame flexible blade294, and a plurality of inline frame flexible blades 296. In anembodiment, each of the flexible blades 290 is a squeegee-type blade andmay be formed of a rubber material, a plastic material, or any othertype of durable, flexible material known to those with ordinary skill inthe art and used in squeegee-type applications.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, each of the plow flexible blades 292 isattached to an exterior surface of one of the plow sheets 250 andextends down from the plow sheets 250 in the height direction H; theplow flexible blades 292 extend in the same direction as the pluralityof brushes 270 and are positioned below the plow frame pieces 210′ inthe height direction H. The plow flexible blades 292 can be used inconjunction with the brushes 270, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11,or can be used in lieu of the brushes 270, as shown in the embodiment ofFIGS. 12 and 13. The plow flexible blades 292 form a V-shape and extendat an angle with respect to the width direction W and the lengthdirection L.

The transverse frame flexible blade 294, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, isattached to the rear section 212 and a portion of the bracket 220 ofeach of the plow frame pieces 210′ and extends in the width direction W.The inline frame flexible blades 296 are attached to the intermediateside section 215 of each of the plow frame pieces 210′ and extend in thelength direction L. In another embodiment, only the plow flexible blades292 are provided and the transverse frame flexible blade 294 and theinline frame flexible blades 296 are omitted. In another embodiment,only the plow flexible blades 292 and the transverse frame flexibleblade 294 are provided and the inline frame flexible blades 296 areomitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, a bottom of each of the plow flexible blades 292,the transverse frame flexible blade 294, and the inline frame flexibleblades 296 are aligned and have a same height in the height direction Hbelow the plow frame pieces 210′. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, thebrushes 270 extend below the bottom of each of the plow flexible blades292, the transverse frame flexible blade 294, and the inline frameflexible blades 296.

The use of the plow assembly 200′ shown in FIGS. 11-13 within the snowand ice remover 10, 10′, 10″, 20 will now be described in greaterdetail. The chain 330 extending from the winch 310 is connected to thedamper 284 of the lifting connector 280′ and the brackets 220 aredisposed in the plow track 188 as described above with respect to theplow assembly 200. In various embodiments, the chain 330 may be a linkedchain, or alternatively may be a wire rope or a cable.

The winch 310 is used to set the height of the plow assembly 200′. Theplow flexible blades 292 are positioned on a front end of the roof ofthe vehicle and, in order for the plow assembly 200′ to stably abut theroof of the vehicle, a small triangle of snow may be left behind theplow flexible blades 292 in the length direction L at a front end of theroof The brushes 270, plow flexible blades 292, and plow sheets 250 movealong the roof of the vehicle as the vehicle moves in the lengthdirection L and clear snow and ice from the roof as the vehicle passesunder the plow assembly 200′.

The transverse frame flexible blade 294 clears any small triangle ofsnow left at the frontend of the roof of the vehicle and also clears anyother snow or ice that may have been missed by the brushes 270, the plowsheets 250, or the plow flexible blades 292. Further, as the plowflexible blades 292 and the transverse frame flexible blade 294 abut theroof at a same height in the height direction H, the plow assembly 200′remains stable as the vehicle passes under the plow assembly 200′. Theinline frame flexible blades 296 further increase the stability of theplow assembly 200′ by abutting the roof at the same height in the heightdirection Hand, in an embodiment, are positioned to rest on the frontend of the roof when the plow assembly 200′ is lowered onto the roof.

When the plow assembly 200′ reaches a rear end of the roof of thevehicle and the plow flexible blades 292 have passed beyond the rear endof the vehicle, the transverse frame flexible blade 294 and the inlineframe flexible blades 296 remain in contact with the roof By maintainingthe height of the plow assembly 200′ in the height direction H, thetransverse frame flexible blade 294 and the inline frame flexible blades296 prevent the plow assembly 200′ from falling in the height directionH at the rear end of the vehicle and prevent the plow frame pieces 210′from potentially contacting the roof of the vehicle. The compression ofthe damper 284 and the resulting dampening force of the damper 284further limits any gravitational force with which the plow assembly 200′may drop at the rear end of the vehicle.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle snow and ice remover, comprising: aplurality of first modular frames, the first modular frames having afirst shape; and a plurality of second modular frames, the secondmodular frames having a second shape different than the first shape, thefirst modular frames and the second modular frames to be connected toform a first side frame, a second side frame opposite the first sideframe, and a cross frame connecting the first side frame and the secondside frame.
 2. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 1, wherein eachof the second module frames includes a plurality of first module framescoupled together.
 3. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 1,wherein the first shape is a triangle and the second shape is arectangle.
 4. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 3, wherein thefirst modular frames each has a first base having a first length T1, asecond base having a second length T2, and a hypotenuse connecting thefirst base and the second base, wherein the first length T1 is greaterthan the second length T2, and wherein the second modular frames eachhas a pair of opposite long sides and a pair of opposite short sidesconnecting the opposite long sides, wherein each of the opposite longsides has a third length R1 and each of the opposite short sides has afourth length R2.
 5. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 4,wherein the second length T2 is approximately half of the first lengthT1, and wherein the first length T1 is equal to the third length R1 andthe second length T2 is equal to the fourth length R2.
 6. The vehiclesnow and ice remover of claim 5, wherein each of the first side frameand the second side frame has a height in a vertical direction that isequal to a sum of the first length T1, the third length R1, and thefourth length R2.
 7. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 6,wherein the cross frame has a width in a horizontal direction betweenthe first side frame and the second side frame that is equal to twotimes the first length T1.
 8. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim1, wherein the first side frame and the second side frame include atleast one of the first modular frames and the second modular frames. 9.The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 1, wherein the cross frameincludes the first modular frames and does not include any of the secondmodular frames.
 10. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 1, whereinthe first side frame and the second side frame include only the firstmodular frames and the second modular frames.
 11. The vehicle snow andice remover of claim 1, wherein the first side frame includes two firstmodular frames and two second modular frames, the second side frameincludes two first modular frames and two second modular frames, and thecross frame includes two first modular frames.
 12. The vehicle snow andice remover of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of firstconnectors and a plurality of fasteners to couple the first modularframes and the second modular frames to form the first side frame andthe second side frame.
 13. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 12,further including a plurality of second connectors, a plurality of thirdconnectors, and the fasteners to couple the first modular frames of thecross frame and to couple the cross frame to the first side frame andthe second side frame.
 14. A vehicle snow and ice remover comprising: afirst side frame including a first set of first modular frames andsecond modular frames, the first modular frames coupled to the secondmodular frames to form the first side frame; a second side frameincluding a second set of the first modular frames and the secondmodular frames, the second set of the first modular frames coupled tothe second modular frames to form the second side frame; and a crossframe interconnecting and spanning between the first side frame and thesecond side frame, the cross frame including a third set of firstmodular frames.
 15. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 14,wherein the first modular frames have a triangular shape and the secondmodular frames having a rectangular shape.
 16. The vehicle snow and iceremover of claim 14, further including a plow retainer coupled to thefirst side frame and the second side frame, the plow retainer having aU-shaped frame.
 17. The vehicle snow and ice remover of claim 16,further including a plow assembly coupled to the plow retainer.
 18. Thevehicle snow and ice remover of claim 14, further including a pluralityof outriggers including a fourth set of the first modular frames, afirst pair of outriggers formed of the first modular frames to couple tothe first side frame and a second pair of outriggers formed of the firstmodular frames to couple to the second side frame.
 19. The vehicle snowand ice remover of claim 18, further including a plurality of ballasts,respective ones of the ballast coupled to respective ones of theoutriggers.
 20. A method comprising: forming a first side frame bycoupling a first set of first modular frames and second modular frames,the first modular frames having a first shape and the second modularframes having a second shape different than the first shape; forming asecond side frame by coupling a second set of the first modular framesand the second modular frames; and forming a cross frame by coupling athird set of the first modular frames.
 21. The method of claim 20,further including coupling the cross frame to the first side frame andthe second side frame such that the cross frame spans between the firstside frame and the second side frame.
 22. The method of claim 21,further including coupling a plow retainer to the first side frame andthe second side frame and attaching a plow assembly to the plowretainer.